The Chelmsford Library is participating in a pilot project to help increase the number of ebooks Massachusetts residents can access through their library. This initiative is funded by the state and part of the FY15 MBLC Legislative Agenda

The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) created this pilot project to explore the potential of purchasing ebooks from a variety of sources, and make them all available in one place. The pilot started with two vendors (Baker & Taylor and Bibliolabs), and will soon add a third, Ebook Library (EBL). This collections increases the number of ebooks available to Chelmsford residents by thousands of titles.

To Get Started
Patrons have the option of using the new state ebook catalog, which searches everything available from the participating vendors. Or, you can go to each vendor's individual catalog directly (Baker & Taylor or Bibliolabs - EBL coming soon!). Brochures - and friendly staff - are available at the library service desks to help answer questions, too.

What It Offers
The project involves different vendors, because they each offer different types of ebooks and other electronic content, suitable for different audiences:

Baker & Taylor: their AXIS360 product includes popular fiction and non-fiction ebooks (similar to Overdrive). They also offer childrens picture books, and their special Blio reader software which displays pictures books exactly as if you were holding the book itself - the software will even highlight and read the words aloud!

Bibliolabs: their Biblioboard search interface is an easy-to-use tool for finding historical books, photographs, recordings, and other primary resources that are in the public domain, which can be read online or downloaded to your device

EBL: When EBL joins the project, their classroom-oriented content will be great for students working on projects. This content is all simultaneous use too, which means there is no limit to how many people can access it at the same time

Tell Us What You Think
This initial pilot phase of the project includes 50 libraries across Massachusetts (including Chelmsford). And since this is the trial of something new, we'd like to hear feedback from patrons on what you think. If you have comments or questions, please contact Brian Herzog, Head of Reference, at bherzog@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

On July 1st, 2010, Massachusetts Library Regions (which facilitates lending books between libraries throughout the Commonwealth) will be condensed from six regions to one. This will cause two impacts to patrons of the Chelmsford Library, which is summarized in the official wording from the MVLC:

Due to the 28% cut in state tax support for Massachusetts libraries, materials delivered to you from other Massachusetts libraries may experience a delay, or materials obtained from libraries outside of Massachusetts may be assessed a charge by your local library, as of July 1, 2010.

Because delivery centers, routes, and regional staff are changing, items requested from outside the MVLC may take longer to arrive. We're not sure what the impact will be, but we do expect delays as the new system is put in place.

Chelmsford residents will not pay any fees to request items through the Chelmsford Library. However, non-residents will be charged $5.00 for any item that cannot be requested through the MVLC or state-wide Virtual Catalog. Any patron who fails to pick up an out-of-system item may lose the ability to place ILL requests. Also, any patron who returns an out-of-system item late may be charged an overdue fine (depending on the loaning library)

2. Search the state-wide Virtual Catalog
If the item you're looking for isn't in the MVLC system, click the Virtual Catalog link at the top of the MVLC catalog page (you'll need your library card barcode)

3. Request an item through library staff
If you can't find the item on your own, library staff can search outside the state for the item and request it on your behalf. Non-Chelmsford residents will be charged $5.00 (non-refundable) for this service, so check with your home library to see if they will request it free.